Preparing SOS Illinois Youth for College and Beyond

Our College Bound and Beyond program will take 20 of our high school students on a college tour to explore post-secondary possibilities for their futures.

An Opportunity to Explore Steps After Graduation

On July 6, 2017, 20 SOS Illinois high-school students from our Lockport and Roosevelt Square Villages will embark on a new journey. They will tour two colleges, Hartland Community College and Illinois State University, both located in Normal, Illinois.

For many of the youth who will attend, who range in age from high school sophomores to seniors, this will be their very first time on any sort of college campus. It is an important opportunity to expose them to the possibilities and differences available. Without the pressure of having to make a choice about enrollment, this is a chance for the young men and women to see what services are provided by these institutions, explore the different ways schools operate, consider the kind of learning environment they might find most fitting for them, as well as discover preferences that might guide them in one day choosing a place of learning for their higher education endeavors.

What the College Bound and Beyond Program Makes Possible

We are thrilled to be able to offer this chance for exposure and learning to our high schoolers. This college tour is just one example of the enrichment opportunities we can make a reality for our youth through the College Bound and Beyond Program. The program supports learning at every age with the ultimate goal of matriculation and establishing a solid path for post-secondary education or employment. It is a pivotal reason why we continue to celebrate a 100% high school graduation rate.

Through the program we support our youth’s studies with tutoring, present chances for building culinary skills, accompany our youth on career day events, send our younger children to summer camp to instill the spirit of learning and new experiences even when school is out, as well as bring STEM to all of our children to help open pathways for development and potential future employment opportunities.

At SOS Illinois we believe it is never too early to consider options for higher education and beyond. Ultimately that is at the very heart of our work: to prepare each and every child for self-sufficiency and success long after they leave our Villages. Learn more about the program and applaud the amazing College Bound and Beyond grantors — the Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, Caterpillar Foundation, HSBC, Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, and Mission & Ministry, Inc. — who stand with us in making education a priority.

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